Rotary engine



J. H. MEYER. ROTARY ENGINE.

4 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY (No Model.) 4 'Sheets-Sheet 2.

' J. H. MEYER.

ROTARY ENGINE.

INVENTOR.

.0. w QW. mmm.

. WOA

FKTTORNEYy l (No Model.) 4`Sheets-Sheet 3.

J- H. MEYER.

ROTARY ENGINE.

. No. 601,854. v Patented Apr' 5,1898l me 'l' i F "'-l' WT [ign lINVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 4. J. H. MEYER.

om 9 o0 1 b1 .VU .p ,An d e t n e t .na EP N I G N E Y R A T 0 R 4.. .0o0' l 0 .6 0. N

l mvENToR.

' ATTONEY.

UNITED STATES,-l

PATENT @Erica JOHNII. MEYER, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

RcoTARYQlQ-:NGINL sPEcIFIcATIoN forming part of Letters patent No.601,854, dated April 5, 189s.

Application nea March 9,1897. serial No. 626,571. (No moda.)

To a/ZZ whom lif may concern.'-

Beit known that I, JOHN H; MEYER,a citizen of the United States,residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and vState ofPennsylvania, have invented certain new and v useful Improvements inRotary Engines, of which the following is a specification, refer-Y encebeing had therein to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to rotary steam-en, gines; and the object ofmyimprovement is to make a two or more step receiver expansion-enginewith exhaust to the atmosphere or to a condenser. v

To accomplish the desired result, my improved engine is constructed withtwo, three, four, five, or more cylinders, with a 'steamchest at one endand an exhaust-chest at the opposite end and between the severalcylinders receivers, said receivers being always one less in number thanthe number of cylinders. The cylinders are made in two halves to receivethe pistons and are joined together on a line through the center of thedrivingshaft. The cylinders mayhave the same di- `ameter and adifference in axial length or they may vary in diameter and length, asmay be required; but they always increase in volu me from the firstcylinder,that receives the steam, toward the last cylinder,'from whichthe exhaust issues. Parts ofthe severalreceivers are cast upon theseveral cylinders, and when the cylinders are joined together completereceivers areformed. The whole'V engine rests upon a proper foundationand is supported thereon -by legs provided with flanges that will allowa slight sliding movement in the direction of the axis of the en'- gine.Each cylinder is bored and lfaced to receive a pistonhaving a moving fitand bears with its bosses on bushings tted betweenV each two cylinders.All of the pistons are' keyed on one shaft, which revolves in bearingsplaced at ends of the engine. Each piston forms a disk, at the center ofwhich is a boss to receive the driving-shaft. On the circumference ofeach disk is formed a rim having thereon two, three, or more radialextensions which I call thumbs, placed equidisrings to each piston. Inthis way there is formed in each piston two, three, or more pockets, andwhen the pistons' are fitted in their respective cylinders the pocketsare inclosed all around and form the chambers in which the steam doesits work. Each of the cylinders has on its inner circumference two,three, or more recesses, according to the number of thev flap-valves,located equidistant from eachother. In these ,recesses are'pivoted theflap-valves, curved to the circumference of the cylinder and presseddown into the pockets of the pistons by means of spiral springs or`bysteam-pressure. For this purpose Vthere is formed on the outer surfaceof each cylinder, above each recess, an extension, bored out and closedat the outer end by means of a screw-plug, adapted to receive the spiralspring and'spring-rod or a small steampiston and rod to act upon theflap-valve. ,The flap-valves form the resistance-Walls for the steam,which by its action drives the thumbs away from the said valves. By thisfmeans'the revolution of the piston is obtained. The exhaust is alsocontrolled by the action of the flap-valves. The extreme diameter of thepistons over the thumbs and side rings has a moving fit in therespective cylinders. The boundary-line of the thumbs in the front,being in the sidein the direction of motion, is about a quarter-circleand is connected to the rim `with a large fillet, so that the iiapvalvewill lift gradually at first. The boundaryline in the back of the thumbsis an epicycloid, vwith the length of the flap -v'alve (measuring fromthecenter of the pivot-pin) as a radius of a circle rolling inside ofanother circle having a radius equal to the distance between the centerof the shaft and center of the pivot of the flap-valve plus the lengthof the hap-valve measured from the center of the 'pivot-pin. By thisconstruction of the rear of the thumb T, I secure the greatest posysible ease of movement without jolt or jar and have at all times apractically steam-tight joint that will not allow any part of the inltant from each other. There are also side 5o coming steam to pass underthe vfree end of j the flap-valve and retard the downward movement ofsaid valve. Each thumb has on the front an opening which turns insidethe thumb toward the receiver side and toward the next followingcylinders. These side openings in the thumbs pass along in front of anumber of openings in the side walls of the cylinders toward thereceiver. By the rotation of the pistons and the forward movement of thethumbs the flap-valves are lifted up into the recesses. After the thumbshave passed under the iiap-valves they are forced down into the pocketsof the pistons by means of springs or steam-pressure in the extensions.the openings in the front partof the thumbs form the connections betweenthe pockets and the receivers or, at the last cylinder, between thepockets and the exhaust. The parts of the piston-pockets in front of thethumbs and back of the flap-valves are nearly always in contact with areceiver or the exhaust until the thumb is near to the flap-valve, atwhich time the exhaust is closed to form, by a slight compression of thesteam, a cushion to prevent shock on the flap-valves. Inthe side of thepiston-pockets toward the steam-chest are long openings for theadmission of steam. These long openings pass in front of circularopenings in the corresponding cylinder or receiver wall, and in this waythe steam is automatically admitted as long as these openings are inconnection. The openings in the cylinder-walls or receivers are placedin such position that they will not come into contact with the longopening in each piston-pocket until the flap-valves are pressed acertain distance into the pockets. Vhen the steam admission is closed,the expansion of the steam in each pocketand cylinder respectivelytakes' place and is continued to the starting of eX- i haust by thelifting of the Hap-valves by the next following thumbs.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure lis a longitudinal sectionalelevation of one form of my improved engine, showing the cylinders insection at line a a a of Fig. 2, and having the top flap-valves removed,but with an outside view of the driving-shaft and pistons in position.Fig. 2 is a vertical sectionall view of the engine on line b b of Fig.1, the thumbs and Hap-valves being in a position to begin opening theports for the admission of steam. Fig. 3is an end elevation of thesteam-chest end of the engine, the steam-chest cover been removed. Fig.4c is an end elevation of the exhaust end of the engine, theexhaust-chest cover being removed. ,Fig. 5 is a vertical cross-sectionon line c c' of Fig. 1, showing the position of the thumbs andflap-valves just before they begin to open the exhaust-ports in thethumbs. Fig. 6 is a plan view of the lower half of the cylinders withpistons and shaft removed.

Fig. 7 is a half plan of the entire engine, cut y through the centerline of the shaft. Fig. 8

is a sectional view through part of one of the cylinders on line a a ofFig. 2, showing the spiral spring in section and the guide of thespring-rod in the screw-plug, the flapvalve being shown in the recessand the thumb of the piston directly under it. Fig. 9 is' a sectionalplan of part of the cylinders of the engine shown in Fig. 1 on line e eof Fig. 8. Fig. 10 is a sectional View ot the half of the two pistons online d d of Figs. 2 and 3. Fig. 11 is a plan, and Fig. 12 is a sectionat ff `of Fig. 11, of the round steam-admission openings in thecylinders. Vhen the thumbs lift the Hap-valves,-

Fig. 13 is a plan, and Fig. 14 is a section at g g of Fig. 13, of theexhaust-opening in the last cylinder when connected to a condenser. Fig.15 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of an engine having fivecylinders and four receivers, the cylinders being shown in section sameas shown in Fig. 1, but with outside view of the driving-shaft andpistons in position. Fig. 16 is a cross-section at 7L h of Fig. 15,showing a section of one of the cylinders and piston, the thumbs andnap-valves being in such a position that the exhaust-ports in the thumbsare partially opened. Fig. 17 is an end view of the fourth cylinder ofthe engine shown in Fig. 15, the tth cylinder being removed. Fig. 18 isa plan view of one of the sliding legs or supports for the engine. Fig.19 is a side elevation of the sliding support. Fig. 20 is an'endelevation of the sliding support and showing the manner of fastening theside pieces to the bed-plate. Figs. 21 to 24 show an arrangement ofsteam-pistons that may be used for pressing the flap-valves back intothe piston-pocketsinstead of the springs shown in Fig. 8. Fig. 21 is asectional view `through part ot` a cylinder and piston and one of theflap-valves on line b b of Fig. 1, showing the manner ot' applyingsteam-pressure to force down the flap-valves in place of the spiralspring shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the thumb and flap-valve being inposition to admit steam, the round admission-opening 9 having arrived ata point to communicate `with the long opening 8. Fig. 22 shows a sectionon line z' z" of Fig. 21, corresponding also with a section on line Z Z/of Fig. 21. Fig.

23 is a section of the piston shown in Fig. 2l,

through the rhomboidal openings on line *7c 7o of Fig. 21. Fig. 21 showsan outside view of the liner in the extensions with the two rows ofVrhomboidal openings.

C C represent the severall cylinders of the engine. These cylinders aremade in two halves and joined together, as shown in Figs. 2 to 5.

R R are the receivers, located between the cylinders.

P P are the pistons.

T T are the thumbs or radial extensions, formed on the pistons l.

S is the steam-chest.

D is the steamfchest cover.

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E is the exhaust-chest; V, the exhaustchest cover. j

J is the live-steam inlet, connected to the boiler.

O is the exhaust-outlet; B B, the bearings for the driving-shaft.

W is the driving-shaft, upon which all of the pistons are keyed.

F F are flap-valves placed equidistant from each other in recessesformed on the inside of the several cylinders.

X X are extensions'formed on the outside of each cylinder.

G G are the recesses in the cylinder into which the Hap-valves F areiitted.

H H are the bearings for the piston-bosses.

L L are bushings for the bearings H.

Y are sliding legs resting upon the foundation and partially supportingthe engine.

Z are rigidly-bolted legs or supports under the exhaust end of theengine.

Q are flanges on the sliding legs Y.

N are beveled side pieces bolted to the bedplate and resting againstcorresponding bevels formed on the flanges Q;

A is the foundation or bed-plate.

K K are steam-pistons placed in the cylinder extensions X to be used inplace of the spiral springs 3. (Particularly shown in Figs. 1, 2, and3.) y

U is the cover for the extensions X when using the piston shown in Fig.21.

M is a screw-plug for the extensions X When the spiral spring (shown inlarger scale in Fig. 8) is used to press back the flap-valve.

1 1 are the side rings of the pistons P.

2 2 are pivot-pins for holding the flap-valves F in position.

3 3 are the spiral springs that press the iiapvalves F back into thepockets of the pistons after they have been raised by thumbs T; 4,spring-rods for the spiral spring; 5, rod of the steam-piston K, (shownin Fig. 21;) 6, exhaust ports lor openings in the front of the thumbs T.These openings turn on the inside of the thumbs and terminate -on theside of the thumbs adjacent to the receiver of the cylinder nextfollowing.

7 are exhaust-openings in the cylinders C.

8 are long rectangular openings in the sides of the pistons toward thesteam-chest.

9 are circular steam-admission openings in the cylinders C.

28; 30, bolts for securing the legYto the bedv plate; 31, beveled edgeson the iianges' Q and sidepieces of leg Y; 32, upper boss on thecylinder 'extension shown in Fig. 21; 3.3, lower boss on cylinderextension shown` in Fig. 21;

A34, grooves in the extensions; 35, liner in the extensions; 36, rowof`openings for the live steam in the liner shown in Figs. 21 and 24;37, row of openings for the exhaust-steam in lthe liner; 38, opening'inthe bottom of thev extensions of the cylinder for the spring-rods`shown, in Fig. 8 or the piston-rods shown in Fig. 21, that presstheflap-valves doWn; 39, packing-rings for the small extension-piston K.These rings prevent the steam from passing between the piston K and theliner V35.

40 is a row' of openings in piston K; 41, y

small grooves in piston-rod 5.

42 is the flange on the steam-chest to which the cover D is bolted; 43,bolts in flange 42.

44'is the iiange on the exhaust-chest to Which thecover Y is bolted; 45,bolts in flange 44.

The flap-valves F form a joint at the' pivoted end. They are fitted intothe round bore of the pivot-pin heads, While the pivot-pins have an easyfit in the flap-valves F, and the iiapevalves'are pressed against by thesteam, which 'also forms a joint of the opposite ends of the flap-valvesF as they slide upon the rims of the pistons Pand over the back boundaryof the thumbs T. The sides of the ilapvalves are provided withl grooves,into which are fitted packing-strips 13,` pressed against theinner-sides of the rings of the pistons P by means of the lightcorrugated springs 14. The extreine radial ends of the'thumbs Tl arealso provided with grooves, into Which are fitted the packing-'strips15, pressed out by the light corrugated springs 16. The circumferentialjoint of the piston sides at the pivot ends of the flap-valves is formedby means of the small pieces 17, fitted into the recesses of thecylinders C at the jointof pivots 2, and is pressed against thecircumference of the sides of the rings of the pistons by the smallsprings 18. The side -packing between the cylinder-Walls and the sidesof the piston P is formed by the Water from the condensation of thesteam, this Water being driven into'the corners by the centrifugal forceand held in place by small Water-grooves 19 on the outer side of theside rings of the pistons P. The exhaust-'openings 7 in the receivers Rand to the atmosphere do not need any packing for ICO.

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joint, but when the last cylinder C exhausts into acondenser theexhaust-openings 7 in the cylinder-walls are provided with the bushings20, pressed by light spiral springs 21 against the corresponding side ofthe piston P, and are also provided with the stuffingboxes 22 and glands23, similar to the packing used for the tubes of a surface condenser. Toprevent leakage at the extreme ends of the engine, these ends of thecylinders O are provided with stufiing-boxes 24 and glands 25 around thedriving-shaft in the usual manner for packing rotary engines. i

To provide for the linear expansion that takes place in the direction ofthe axis when a number of the cylinders C are joined together and toavoid the friction that would necessarily be produced if the cylinderswere all bolted together rigidly when morel than one support upon thefoundation is required, the leg Z is connected to the last of thecylinder C and firmly bolted to the foundation or bedplate A, and theadditional legs or supports Y that may be needed are bolted to thefoundation with a sliding fit in the manner particularly shown in Figs.18, 19, and 20.

Should the spring 3, that presses down the flap-valves F, not besuitable for large engines, I have designed a steam-piston K (see Figs.21 to 24) to do the same work and receive pressure and exhaustautomatically by the motion ot' the flap-valves. To accomplish thisresult, the extensions X of the cylinders have internally the twogrooves 34 and outside for each groove a boss. 32 is bored to receivethe connection' for the admission of live steam, while the lower boss 33is bored to receive the connection for the exhaust, which is connectedeither to the exhaust side of the same cylinder or to the next followingreceiver. The extensions X are bored out to receive the liner 35, iittedsteamtight into the bore of the extensions. In this way the grooves 34form passages for steam. The liner 35 has therein the two rows ofrhomboidal openings 36 and 37. The upper row 36 .is in contact with theupper passages 34 and form the admission-openings, while the lower row37 is in contact with the lower passage 34 and forln the exhaustopenings. The piston K, which is moved inside the liner 35 by the actionof the flap-valves F on the piston-rod 5, which extends through theopening 38 in the bottom of extension similar to the spring-rod 4, hastherein one row of rhomboidal openings 40, which, when the flapvalvesare moved by the thumbs T so far that they begin to enter the recessesG, come in contact with the row of holes 36 in the liner, and the steamenters beyond the piston and presses with the rod 5 against theflapvalve. As soon as the thumbs have passed the nap-valves F the steambeyond the pistons acts and the flap-valves are pressed into the pocketsof the pistons back of the thumbs. When the thumbs have moved so farthat the The upper boss openings 8 and 9,for admitting steam into thepiston-pockets come into contact with each other, the flap-valves F andthe pistons K have moved so far inside that the openings 40 in thepistons K come in contact with the holes 37 in the liner and the exhaustof the steam beyond the piston begins, while the admission of the steambeyond the piston has already closed at a point where the napvalve hasleft the recess G. To prevent a shock of the pistons K at the bottom ofthe extensions X, there are small vertical grooves 41 in the piston-rod5. These grooves allow some of the admission-steam from the maincylinder-pistons P to enter the liner of the pistons K, and thus formcushions for said pistons K. The operations described are repeated aseach thumb comes in contact with the flap-valves.

The admission of steam, the cut-off, and the exhaust, respectively, forall of the pockets in one cylinder take place at the same time, and thenumber of such admissions, cutoffs, and exhausts for one revolution ofeach piston are the same and rcorresponds to the number of thumbs oneach piston.

I have shown each cylinder with three of the extensions X and threeHap-valves F, the piston having thereon three of the thumbs T. Thisconstruction I would consider the most practical; but the number ofextensions, liap-valves,and thumbs may be increased, and under somecircumstances each cylinder may .have 'only one extension and onenapvalve, the piston having but one thumb. These parts may also beembodied in an engine having only one cylinder.

The sliding leg or support Y is shown rigidly attached to the engine andsliding upon the bed-plate; but this support Ymay be sccured rigidly tothe bed-plate and the engine allowed to slide over the top of it.

Having thus described myinvention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a rotary engine the combination of a steam-cylinder C, havingpivoted on the inner circumference thereot` a valve F, with a piston Phaving a moving lit in the cylinder and Vprovided with a valve-liftingthumb T, the

said cylinder C being provided with suitable inlet and exhaust ports forthe steam, and the piston P having the side rings 1, 1, provided on oneside with the inlet-ports S, and the curved exhaust-port 6 extendingfrom the front of the thumb to the sidev thereof next the exhaust sideof the cylinder and connecting the interior of the piston with theexhaust-ports 7, substantially as shown.

2. In a rotary engine the combination ot' a cylinder C, provided withinlet and exhaust ports and having flap-valves F, pivoted therein, andmeans for holding said flap-valves in contact with the periphery of thepiston, with a piston P having the side rings 1, 1, mounted in saidcylinder and having thereon the lift- IOO IOS

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ing-thumb T, provided with the curved exhaust-port 6 extending from thefront to the side of the thumb next to the exhaust side of the cylinderfor the purpose of connecting the interior of said cylinder directlywith the exhaust-ports, as set forth. p

3. In a rotary engine the combination of two or more steam-cylinders ofdifferent volumes mounted upon a single driving-shaft, each of saidcylinders having pivoted on the inside thereof a series of flap-valvesF, with the pistons P, having thereon the side rings 1, 1, and betweensaid side rings the extending thumbs T, operating the flap-valves, theseveral cylinders being provided with suitable inlet and exhaust portsand connected with a steam-supply, each piston having in the side ring 1thereof the inlet-port 8, and in the extending thumbs the curvedexhaustports 6, forming a connection with the exhaust-ports 7 of thecylinders, substantially as shown and for the purpose described.

4c. In a rotary engine the combination of two or more steam-cylindershaving therein steam-inlet ports, and increasing in volume from thefirst cylinder that takes steam to the last one'that exhausts, with thereceiver R located between each two of the cylinders, and the severalseries of the nap-valves F,

lpivoted on the inner circumference of each cylinder, and a series ofpistons P, having the side rings 1, 1, and mounted on the samedriving-shaft and having moving fit in their respective cylinders, andeach of said pistons having thereon a series of valve -lifting thumbs T,provided with the curved exhaustports 6, that extend through said thumbsfrom the front to the side thereof and through the adjacent side ring 1and register with exhaustports in the sides of the cylinder,substantially as shown. y

5. In arotary engine the combination of the series of steam-cylinders C,having between each two of the cylinders, the receivers R, and having onone side of each cylinder, the inletports 9, the first of saidinlet-ports being connected with the steam-chest and the others with theseveral receivers and on the opposite side of said cylinders theexhaust-ports 7, connected with the several receivers and with theoutlet on the last cylinder.; with the flap-valves F, pivoted to theinner circumference of the cylinders and provided with suitable meansfor forcing said valves down after they have been raised, and thepistons P, all mounted on the same shaft and having thereon the siderings 1, 1, and inlet-ports 8, registering with inlet-ports 9, in theVcylinders and provided with the extending thumbs T, having theexhaust-ports 6, that register with the exhaust-ports 7, in thecylinders as the pistons turn around, all arranged substantially asshown.

6. In a rotary engine, the combination of a cylinder C, flap-valves F,pivoted on-the inside of the cylinder, extensions X, located on ftheoutside of the cylinder and connected with a steam-supply and havingtherein the steam-piston K, and rod 5, pressing upon thekcylinder C,having therein the pivoted flapvalve F, and on the outside the closedextensions X, bored out to fit the liners 35, having thereintheopenings'36 and 37, with the pistons K, operating-rods 5, pressingagainst the flap-valves F, substantially as shown.

, 8. The closed top extension X, having on the side thereof an openingthat connects with a steam-supply and on the opposite side a similaropening for the exhaust, in combination with the liner 35, fitting intosaid extension and having therein the two rows of openings 36 and 37,and the small piston K, having therein the openings 40 and the extendingrod 5, that presses against the flap-valves, substantially as vshown andfor the purpose described.

9. In a rotary engine,the cylinder C, a steaminlet port provided with abushing movably secured in the cylinder and held in sliding contact withthe side of the piston by the pressure of the ingoing steam on the outersurface -of the port, substantially as shown.

10. In a rotary engine, the cylinder C, the steam-inlet port 9, providedwith a bushing movablysecured in the cylinder C, and surrounded by theconical packing-ring ,12 and held in sliding contact with the side ofthe piston P, by the pressure of the ingoing steam, substantially asshown and described.

11. In a rotary engine, the cylinder C, the exhaust-port 7, providedwith a bushing movably secured in the cylinder C, and held in slidingcontact with the side vof piston'rP, by means of the spring 21,substantially as shown and described.

12. A piston for rotary engines composed of the two side rings 1, 1,having a moving fit in the cylinder and inclosing between them a centralportion having thereon the extending thumb T, the side rings 1, 1, beingprovided with inlet and exhaust ports respectively above the saidcentral portion, and the thumb T having therein the curved exhaust-port6 that extends from the front of the thumb to the outside of the pistonpassing through the side ring 1 that lies next to the exhaust side ofthe cylinder, substantially as shown.

13. In a rotary steam-enginethe combination of a cylinder C providedwith an inlet and exhaust port on opposite ends thereof and havingpivoted on the inner circumference a valve F, with a piston P providedwith valvelifting thumb T, having therein the curved exhaust-port 6extending from the front of the thumb to the side thereof next to theex- IOO IIO

haust-openin g in the rear end of the cylinder, Io as shown. x

` In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of twoWitnesses.

JOHN H. MEYER.

Witnesses: t

THos. D. MoWLDs, SAML. I-I. KIRKPATRICK.

